Directory of Mark Twain's maxims, quotations, and various opinions:

ELEPHANT

I could easily learn to prefer an elephant to
any other vehicle, partly because of that immunity from collisions, and
partly because of the fine view one has from up there, and partly because
of the dignity one feels in that high place, and partly because one can
look in at the windows and see what is going on privately among the family.
The Lahore horses were used to elephants, but they were rapturously afraid
of them just the same. It seemed curious. Perhaps the better they know the
elephant the more they respect him in that peculiar way. In our own case
we are not afraid of dynamite till we get acquainted with it.
- Following the Equator

Publicity
photo #No. MT-135
from ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN, 1942.
Actors Donald Crisp on the left as Major James B. Pond and
Frederic March on the right as Mark Twain.
From the Dave Thomson collection.